Renowned singer Humaira Arshad has strongly objected to the inclusion of actor Fawad Khan as a judge in the upcoming season of Pakistan Idol, arguing that individuals without formal musical training should not evaluate singers on a national platform.
Arshad, speaking to a private TV channel, said appointing non-musicians as judges undermines the credibility of music competitions. “Artists who have no connection with music should not be made judges. If they lack musical knowledge, they should step back themselves,” she stated.
The singer emphasized that judging a singing contest requires deep understanding of rhythm, melody, and vocal technique. She further criticized the trend of selecting celebrities based on popularity rather than professional expertise. “If a contestant asked them to sing a taan (musical note), they wouldn’t be able to do it,” she remarked.
Pakistan Idol—returning after more than a decade—recently unveiled its new panel featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, Bilal Maqsood, and Fawad Khan. While Fawad initially gained recognition as the lead vocalist of the rock band Entity Paradigm, he has spent the past decade primarily as a film and television actor.
Industry observers note that Arshad’s criticism highlights a recurring debate in reality television—whether star power should outweigh subject expertise. Supporters of the show, however, argue that Fawad’s musical background and mass appeal could attract wider audiences.
The producers of Pakistan Idol have yet to issue an official response to Humaira Arshad’s comments. Meanwhile, auditions for the new season are already underway, with fans eagerly waiting to see how the controversy might affect the show’s reception.
